Meet Jacob Elston of Rise and Thrive Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Elston.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my journey as Arizona’s best personal trainer December 23, 2011. I left corporate America and took on the challenge of being self-employed. I had a wealth of knowledge about form and technique but was dead broke with knowledge on how to run my own business. Chad, Erin, and Dennis were the 3 clients who believed in me from the get-go. That’s right. I only had 3 clients to start off with. Educating, motivating, and inspiring people has and will always be my biggest passion.

I am beyond grateful that I get to express that through fitness and nutrition. For years I struggled with client retention and growing my clientele. Depression, frustration, and resentment had begun to set in. I had a daughter and fiance to support. Failure was looking inevitable. I had finally hit rock bottom in 2013. I had no money to my name, only a few clients, and rent was due. Literally, rent was due in 8 days, and I only had $7.00 to my name.

One day I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. I took my daughter to the babysitter that I couldn’t afford and drove to Barnes and Noble. There I purchased the book “The Success Principles” by Jack Cannfield and the movie “The Secret.” I went home watched the movie and began to read like a man possessed. The next week I gained 3 new clients and made enough money to pay for rent and groceries. It was from that point on that I changed the way I looked at things, and the things I looked at seemed to change.

I then grew my clientele and my vocation from there on out. I have been blessed to have several different key mentors, coaches, and amazing clients throughout the years. I began to not only look at myself as a business but manage my life as a business as well. Over the past 6 years, I have had the privilege of working with a plethora of clients and making a great living for my family. There have been countless experiences that have helped shape and mold me into the best trainer in Arizona and for that, I am forever grateful! Thank you for taking a little time to hear just a little of my story.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been the complete opposite of smooth. It was all of the obstacles that made me become stronger in order to get past them though. I had no education on marketing, networking, or even how to manage a clientele. I also had no money to brand my business. Everything I have learned has literally been on site and in real time.

I have veered off course a couple of different times in order to gain more “financial” success so that I could train without stressing about finances. I left my clientele to do door to door home security system sales in order to gain capital to open my own facility. Although the money was good, I completely loathed what I did and came back to personal training. Unfortunately, I lost 85% of my clients in my absence. I built my clientele up to 31 strong clients in about 1 year.

In 2015 I decided to try my hand at brick and mortar. I opened up a meal prep company, Macros Edge, in order to have a 2nd business for more financial success. The experience and learning lessons over those 18 months were some of the most valuable ones ever! It was the best experience of my life. I then returned back to training full time and I applied what I learned from Macros Edge to build an amazing clientele and business today!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rise and Thrive Wellness – what should we know?
In short, I am the Owner of Rise and Thrive Wellness. Also, in short, we are a personal training business. We are so much more than that though. We screen clients who are ready to Rise and Thrive! We specialize in helping our clients create better Posture so that they can Perform well so that they can the Physique they have always wanted. The selflessness we provide our clients is what separates us from other personal training businesses.

We strive to make sure our clients not only succeed inside the gym but outside the gym as well. Goals are set for our clients personal and professional lives as well. Results come when all aspects of life are firing on all cylinders. When you are in a position of strength it is a moral duty to help lift those up who need it. This is the core of who we are and what we do. It’s not just about reps and sets. It’s about being truly happier and stronger in all aspects of life!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents are the first and foremost people that deserve so much credit. My dad instilled discipline and work ethic from a very young age. It was my mom who instilled the passion, empathy, and kindness deep into my soul. Thank you, Mom and Dad!

My wife, Stephany Elston, has been my absolute rock. She has stuck with me through thick and thin, literally! Brett Harris taught me how to hustle and to believe in myself. He saw the potential in myself that I could not. He taught me the psychology of sales and the constant pursuit of self-development. Anthony Collova was a client, mentor, and friend. He showed me that following my heart and soul will always lead me to success, and that money will be a byproduct of my happiness.

My best friend Matthew Cerda has been my friendly competition in life. Our families, our ideas, our work ethics are identical and we push each other to constantly get better and provide our clients with better and better services. ALL of my clients deserve credit for my success. The list would be far too long to write out. Thank you all. I love all of you!

Pricing:

• SOLO RATES- 4 sessions ($60.00/session) 8 sessions ($50.00/session) 12 sessions ($45.00/session)
• PARTNER RATES- $40.00/Session no matter what size package. Group of 2 max

Contact Info:

• Address: 4530 N. 7th Street Phoenix, Az 85014
• Website: www.riseandthrivewellness.com
• Phone: (623) 694-0490
• Email: jake@riseandthrivewellness.com
• Instagram: Jake202081

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.